House Bill 58 creates a new refundable job retention tax credit for some businesses that meet certain criteria. The bill cleared the Ohio Senate last week and needed only a concurrence vote from the House, which was completed on Wednesday with bipartisan support.

The greeting card company, based in Brooklyn, told its employees in January 2010 that it was considering a move, prompted by Brooklyn's decision to raise its income-tax rate from 2 percent to 2.5 percent. The company is considering building headquarters in other Cleveland-area suburbs, but said it also is considering sites in Chicago.

The legislation, supported by Republican Gov. John Kasich and certain to get his signature, could help keep the company with its 2,000 employees anchored in the Cleveland area.

Patrice Sadd, a spokeswoman for American Greetings, earlier this week said the company had planned to make its final decision on a move by the end of February but was willing to extend that deadline to consider HB 58.

"The outcome of the proposed Ohio legislation, and analyzing its impact, will affect the timeline," Sadd said in an e-mail. "We appreciate the continued patience and understanding of our associates as we conduct a thorough and careful consideration of our alternatives."

Under the new provision, companies eligible for the tax credit are those with at least 1,000 employees that agree to make $25 million in capital improvements over three consecutive years and in 2010 received a written offer from another state to leave Ohio.